Anti-Foaming Device

Abstract

An anti-foaming device ( 1 ) configured to reduce foaming of a fluid within a fluid reservoir ( 2, 3 ), the device including; a conduit ( 5 ) wherein the conduit ( 5 ) is in contact with at least a part of the exterior surface of the fluid reservoir ( 2, 3 ); a thermally conductive media wherein the media is past through the conduit ( 5 ); and, a heat transfer device; characterised in that the heat transfer device controls the temperature of the media within the conduit to hold the temperature of the fluid above or below a foaming temperature.

1 . An anti-foaming device configured to fit a fluid treatment system, and configured to reduce foaming of a fluid within the fluid treatment system, the device including,
 a conduit wherein the conduit is in contact with at least a part of the exterior surface of the fluid treatment system,   a thermally conductive media wherein the media is passed through the conduit, and   a heat transfer device,   wherein the heat transfer device is configured to control the temperature of the media within the conduit to hold the temperature of the fluid within the fluid treatment system above or below a foaming temperature.   
     
     
         2 . An anti-foaming device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid to be treated is milk. 
     
     
         3 . An anti-foaming device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the media is water. 
     
     
         4 . An anti-foaming device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conduit is configured in the form of a spiral jacket. 
     
     
         5 . An anti-foaming device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the spiral jacket is fitted around the external surface of the fluid treatment system. 
     
     
         6 . An anti-foaming device as claimed  claim 1  wherein the conduit is fitted to ensure that adequate media flow throughout the conduit is sufficient to eliminate any dead spots where the media flow rate is insufficient to adequately control the temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . A method of reducing foaming of a fluid within a fluid treatment system by operating an anti-foaming device which includes
 a conduit wherein the conduit is in contact with at least a part of the exterior surface of the fluid treatment system,   a thermally conductive media wherein the media is passed through the conduit, and   a heat transfer device,   said method comprising the steps of:   a). introducing a fluid to the fluid treatment system, and   b). controlling the temperature of the media within the conduit with the heat transfer device to hold the temperature of the fluid above or below a foaming temperature.   
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the fluid is milk. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the media is water. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the conduit is configured in the form of a spiral jacket. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the spiral jacket is fitted around the external surface of the fluid treatment system. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the conduit is fitted to ensure that adequate media flow throughout the conduit is sufficient to eliminate any dead spots where the media flow rate is insufficient to adequately control the temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A method of chilling a fluid by operating an anti-foaming device as claimed in  claim 1   said method comprising the steps of:   a). introducing a fluid to the fluid treatment system and   b). controlling the temperature of the media within the conduit with the heat transfer device to hold the temperature of the fluid above or below a foaming temperature.   
     
     
         14 .- 16 . (canceled)